A Saint Bernard Puppy Put His Paws Up and Eyed the Turkey
His paws are on the table edge and his gaze is locked on a golden turkey at the far end. A red and white Saint Bernard puppy sits upright, big soft ears hanging, thoughtful eyes fixed on the feast, and a fleck of white fur on his nose. The table is set with bowls of green beans, cranberries, rolls, butter, and glasses of water, and linen napkins lie at each place. Behind him a bright kitchen with wooden cabinets and a window filled with afternoon light completes the picture.
Saint Bernards are famously good-natured, but they are also very big, even as puppies, and they will grow into dogs of well over a hundred pounds. That means table manners matter early. Teaching a puppy to stay on the floor and settle on a mat during meals is easier when he is small, and rewards for calm behavior work better than scolding. Turkey bones, skin, and the fatty drippings can be dangerous for dogs, because cooked bones may splinter and rich foods can cause stomach trouble or worse. If a dog does eat something unusual, call your vet right away, and keep a safe chew handy for him.
He looks as if he is thinking of a speech. Perhaps he is simply grateful for the smell, which is as much as any dog can ask on Thanksgiving.
